Formative Assessment

Formative Assessment

Unit:  Colonial America Road To Independence

As I work in a Unit I have the students prepare by reading the assigned material in the textbook along with some Historical Documents that pertain to topic.  Such documents as:  Journals from an indentured servant traveling to America, families of colonies, Salem Witch Trials;   May Flower Compact, Fundamental Constitutions of Colonies, Declaration of Independence support this unit.

After reading preparation, class time would be used to discuss and do pencil paper work such as:  notes, worksheets, maps.  Usually a topic each day is discussed, example “Taxation Without Representation.”  I use worksheets to organize facts and events and then we will discuss by me formulating Big Idea question based off reading and work.  Informally this would be my first formative assessment to see if the class is grasping the concept as a whole-no official collecting of date.  Either that same class period I may do an exit quiz or an entrance one the following day.  This would be my first collection of data.  It may be a simple 2 question assessment or a 10 mini quiz; 5 vocab and 5 Multiple Choice. 

After correcting the assessment I sort and analyze my data: 1.  Sort into two piles one pile proficient/got it and the other developing/confused. I note to myself students that were inadequate/totally misinformed and have them come see me at SRB (Student Responsibility Block) 2.  Analyze which questions seemed to trouble most students.  3.  Return assessment back to the students and break them up in the two groups that were represented in my first step.  I allow them to discuss and correct their mistakes. Once we are all back as a whole class I make sure the students have the correct information before we go on to the next concept. Readdress the group concerns.  These formative assessments are used to create the Summative Assessment.  During the analyzing stage I also use the historic concept and address power standards from the the Departments Power Standards

I continue the above process for each concept and once the unit is covered I review all formative assessments with students and prepare for the summative assessment which will be their grade for that Unit. 

If students fail to meet the Summative Grade I use the SRB block for a reassessment. 

Obviously I vary from this routine depending on projects I may have or enrichment I may add to the Unit.  Also if a concept or skill requires me to break down the material into more details and time. 

I struggle with organizing my class room to accommodate the students that master the concept while I need to work with students who need more time or in that developing step.  Social Studies is a unique study because we address Historical concepts and common core is more skilled based.  So when creating assessments it becomes difficult to  assess students because we have to look at historical content and common core skill.